Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-05-25
An Interesting Event.
LEADER OF A CHOIR FOR FIFTY YEARS.

LEADER OF CHOIR FOR FIFTY YEARS.
On Saturday evening, the 18th inst, the
family of Mr.. Jas. Withrow, of Lewisburg,
w. Va, were surprised by the entrance
into their residence of quite number OF
the members of the Presbyterian Church
of that place. It was soon made known
that the object of the unexpected visit was
to give a testimonial of their esteem and
gratitude to Mr.. Withrow for his service,
for fifty years, as leader of the choir of that
church by the presentation of well-exeeuted
life-size likenesses of himself and wife.
John A. Preston, Esq.,, delivered hand
some presentation address, which after an
interesting sketch of the history Of the
Presbyterian of that place, and proper
tribute to the late DR.. John McElhenny
who served as its pastor for the long period
of sixty years, concluded as follows - D..
Elm 1887, when but nineteen years OF
age, you were chosen leader of the choir !;
and it is alike creditable to you and the
congregation that from that day to this no
change has been made.
For fifty years, in sunshine and in storm,
in times of gladness and in seasons of grief,
you have faithfully and acceptably dis
charged the duties Of that position.
AS we, who are for the most part chill
dren of those who worshipped with you
when you began that duty, contemplate
your service, our hearts go out to you in
I1ro opd oxof;tuda op1 r.or brain and
heart crowd memories of s'the sweet, sacred
songs our mothers have sung under your
guidance in the sanctuary. "Iemories,
which, Notwithstanding all the corruptions
of our nature, make us proud that we are
men," memories, which," as back
through scenes of joy and sorrow they run,
"like the pipes of grand cathedral organ,
ever and anon, swell, with swifter time,
into sacred strain that bids the living emu
late their virtues"
"And now, conscious of the circum-
stances by which they are surrounded
approaching the services rendered by you
to their church through all these fifty years;
mindful of their duty towards you there
for, and rejoicing that they have this op'
portunity of manifesting for you their re
spect and regard, these representatives OIL
our church and congregation have bidder
me, in their name, present and request yor
| to accept. these pictures of Mrs. Withrov
and yourself, as mementoes OF that fifty
years of service and testimonials of the con
gregation's affection and esteem, with thu
| assurance that
| Had they the power some charm TO throw
\ Along you. pathway here below"
| Then, surely, you would e'er control
| cir cOops and prQiEaS they roll.
1t seems, says the Greenbrier lndepe'l
dent, that from one of the members of tn
family had been secured the photographs o
Mr.. and Mrs. Withrow-his taken twelv
years ago, and hers probably three-whicl
pictures were sent by Miss Jennie Price II
Baltimore for enlargement and reproduc
ton. The work was beautifully executes
by Mr.. B. M. Clinedinst formerly of Staun
toni in erayon, are life-size, and hand
somely encased in bronze frames. Severa
weeks since subscription paper was pre-
scented to as many of the members OF tn
Lewisburg church as possible, by which ar
rangement neat little sum was raised, ant
the idea of manifesting their appreciation
in the stated way was conceived by tn
ladies of the church.
Nothing could have been more touching
than the remarks made by Mr.. Preston
and as he pointed to the pictures, MIR. With
row for the first time realized the situation
He responded as suitably as could hav
been expected, being much overcome b.
his feelings, expressing himself as touches
by the kindness that prompted the gift, a
glad that his services as leader of the choi
had been SO much appreciated, and closin.
with the souLfslt words, "God bless eacl
and all of you shall be my prayer till
de-"
Miss Hattie Hunter and Mrs. J. =. Estil
then sang the sopgs-''Old Folks at Home,
"Coriing through the Rye" "Auld LAM
tSyne," and ''We Shall Meet Again. will
appropriate pathos, after which the pleased
guests dispersed and sought their homes